Apparatus for chemical treatment of fibrous material



March 18, 1930. w. w. McELRATH 1,751,165

APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 9, 1927 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l l 1 l l@ I I I 1@ I E l I 5: I l "2 I l l N I 0% N :1 I. I 1": Q I 1 l E I 1@ "-if I 5-: I

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APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL TREATMENT FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 9, 192"! 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 w gnn I all azz/l/ gnucn l'oz WW/fam WM E 7719/77 March 18, 1930. w. w. M ELRATH 1,751,165

APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 9, 1927 e Sheets-Sheet .Il/Illlllllll March 18, 1930.

w. w. McELRATH 1,751,165

APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 9, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 M/gm Mr g gnucnroz Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM W. MOELRATH, F ROANOKE, VIRGINIA Application filed November 9, 1927. Serial No. 232,126.

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for bleaching, dyeing,

washing, or otherwise treating with proper liquids skeins of fibers which may be cotton, wool, artifical silk, true silk, or other fibrous materials. Under practical operation of the apparatus the skeins referred to aresuspended on revolving rods which are progressively fed through the apparatus.

In applying this invention to the. artificial silk industry, it may be stated that experience has proven that the less the silk is handled during the processing, in which most of the time it is in a wet condition which reduces its 1 strength, that the less mechanical injury is done, and the higher amount of better grades produced. 1

Present and conventional apparatus for the purpose mentioned above frequently jamb and tangle the silk, either by the several units of the apparatus getting out of time or by the transferring of the skeins of silk from one unit to the following.

In further presenting the herein described invention it is to be definitely understood that the word apparatus includes for instance in a' bleaching apparatus (as understood by units of five in the trade) five units or machines, so called sulfiding unit, sulfid washing unit, bleaching unit, acidulating unit, and a final washing unit. These separate units in my invention are to be hereinafter called machines, and not apparatus, and as stated apparatus includes a multiplicity of the sevcral machines collectively functioning.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus as specified which will have'parts accessible for replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide one common power meansfor the entire apparatus, adapted to operate the several machines in unison, uniformly, and positively.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus with means for transferring skeins of fibrous material from one machine to the other.

A still further object of the invention is-to provide an apparatus which is simple in op- 0 eration, inexpensive to manufacture and capable of rapid production.

length of the apparatus. Within member 10 Other objects and advantages pertinent to this invention are apparent to those familiar with the art to which it belongs. Reference is made to the accompanying description and drawings and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same as shown. I Referring more particularly to the drawings Fig. 1 an end view of the machine partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a side-view of the machine, partly in section and further showing connection with a following machine which is duplicated in forming the apparatus proper.

. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken online 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a projected view of Fig. 3 and is shown broken in section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2,

6 is a projected View of Fig. 5 partly in section. j

Fig. 7 is a sectional end-view taken on line 77 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a side-view taken on. line 8-8 of Fig. 1, partly in section.

Indicating in more particular the component parts and their functions and referring to Fig. 1 a base 1 is provided which forms a housing for the within shown parts, and has enclosed therein a lateral shaft 2 rotatably mounted in hearings in said housing. It will be noted that a tubular member 10 secures the housing 1 'to a parallel housing, which has supported thereon said housings, other mechanism. It may be stated that the two housings are identical as regards supported mechanism and are parallel throughout the entire shaft '2 is disposed which operates both parallel mechanisms as shown clearly in Fig. 1, and the general arrangement of same for each machine. Secured to shaft 2-is bevel gear 3 keyed thereon which co-acts with bevel gear 1 secured to vertical shaft 5. On shaft 2 is also secured a Worm gear 6 co-acting'with Worm 7 secured on a longitudinal extending driving shaft 8 which is mounted in bearings of housing 1, shown more particularly in Fig. 100 2. On said shaft 8 is secured a driving wheel 9 adapted to be driven by a motor or other power means 11. Driving shaft 8 extends the entire length of the several machines forming the apparatus, thus it will be seen that each machine is operating .in unison by a common power means employed to drive them.

Mounted on housing 1, referring again to Fig. 1 is a vertical tubular standard 12 which encloses a 'rotatably connected vertical shaft 5 also supported by said standard 12 is a lateral extending boss upon which is supported a channel section 13 having mounted thereon a drainage tank 14 which will hereinafter be described. Referring to Fig. 8 shaft 5 is mounted in a bearing at the top of standard 12, and secured thereon is a bevel gear 15 coacting with bevel gear 16 which is secured'to a rotatably mounted longitudinal transmission shaft 17 in bearings 18throughout the casing 19 which is supported by standard 12. 1 In Fig. 2 it isseen that upon shaft 17 is secured worms 20-20 and 21. IVorms 20-20 are adapted to rotate worm gears mounted on a disk 36-36 in the same direction, and whereas worm 21 is adapted to rotate worm gear mounted on disk 36 in an opposite direction. This however has no special feature other than tending to equalize end thrust in relation to hearing locations. Referring again to Fig. 8 shaft 17 is further provided with a worm 22 which co-acts with worm gear 23 mounted on a vertical tubular shaft 24 which has therein a second shaft 25 adapted to have vertical movement within said shaft 24, and a key which causes the two shafts to rotate together. This is particularly shown in Fig. 7. In this figure it is seen that shaft 24 is mounted in a bearing 26 which is integral with casing 19 properly mounted. On shaft 25 is secured a worm 27 which coacts with Worm gear 28 secured on a rotatably mounted longitudinal shaft 29 in bearings 30,

which are integral with a vertical moveable head 31which is partly sup orted by casing 19 as shown in the several gures. As said head 31 must have vertical movement. as shall be further described it is apparent that shaft 25 should be slideable within shaft 24 as shown.

Referring to Fig. 3 shaft 29 has mounted thereon bevel gear 32 which operates with bevel'gear 33 secured to a lateral shaft 34 upon which is removably mounted roller 35 adapted to rotate rods as they pass through the apparatus as will be seen further in this specification. In Fig.2 it is noted that there is a multiplicity of these rollers which are all common as to the arrangement just described, except as seen in this figure that the first machine will rotate the rollers in a forward or clockwise motion, while the second connected machine as shown. may if desired rotate them in the opposite direction. This change of rotation is very effectively carried out through the entire apparatus, and is affected only by change of worm and worm gear 22 and 23 as shown in Fig. 8, in each machine. This serves as a means of carrying out the invention in this respect, however if it is desired to have the rollers rotate in the same direction through the entire apparatus the pitch of each worm and worm gear will be made alike in design. In Fig. 3 it is further noted that roller 35 has a removable filler for the face of same which may be semihard rubber, ebonite or other suitable material. Referring again to F ig. 2 there is mounted in casing-19 three disks 36-36 and 36. Located near the ends of the machine are disks 36 and 36, and in the center disk 36', these are adapted to be rotated by means of worms 20-20 and 21 respectively and as shown, and as further shown in Figures 3 and 5. In these figures it is seen that thereon said'respective disks are worm gears common to all disks, designated by numeral 38 secured thereon and rotated by said respective worms. These disks are provided with lateral shafts properly mounted in suitable hubs 42 in casing 19 as shown. Hubs of 36-36 being on the outside of casing 19, and hub of 36' being on the inside of sai casing 19. Referring to Fig 3 in particular, a camface 37 is employed, upon which rides a roller 39 supported bya pin 40 which may be pressed or otherwise fastened to a longitudinal rail 41. Said rail 41 extending the entire length of the machine, or apparatus, in which case they are bolted together as shown 'in Fig. 2,'or may be of one-piece construction. Fastened upon said rail 41 is a movable head 31 which may be pinned on as indicated, or bolted, which is adapted to move up and down with the co-operation of cam-face 37 and during the rotation of disks 36-36 as shown. Thus it is apparent that rollers 35 w1ll also have a like movement.

The disk 36 as shown in Fig. 5 is practically like disks 36-36 shown in Fig. 3, with the exception that it has no cam-face 37 but instead is provided with a roller 39 eccentrically mounted and pinned to said disk 36. There is operatively arranged around'said roller 39 a cam-plate'43 which is recessed and secured in a longitudinal rail 44. The cam plate is so shaped that after a determined travel of rail 44 has been made, either backward or forward that the rail will remain practically motionless at the end of its travel. This is accomplished by the arcuate portion 45 of camplate 43 as shown in Fig. 6. It is clear that when disk 36' which is the central disk within casing 19 revolves that rail 44 will move as stated; this movement is necessary for the progression of the rods which pass through the apparatus, as will be further explaine disks 3636 and 36 a backward and forward movement is imparted to rails 44 and an up and down movement to rails 42.

In Figs. 3 and 7 rail 44 is shown mounted upon antifriction bearings 47 interposed at different points in casing 19, andrail 41 mounted in a yoke 48 integral with casing 19. It is further seen that yoke 48 has contact with a lateral boss 48 on rail 41 which previded with cambers 49 which take the place of rollers 35 at the ends of the machine, more particularly where the rods 50 are not subjected to the liquid employed. The end rollers 35 are partly under the cambers 49,

' thus preventing the rods 50 from contacting with these rollers and causing undue friction at this Point.

In the apparatus illustrated, there are four rod positions in the drainage space between successive machines, the cambers 49 taking the place of the rollers-35 in this space to support the rods as they are transferred from one machine to the next.

By the combination of operation shown of rails 41 and 44 together with the recesses 46 and rollers 35 as well as cambers 49 the rods 50 are progressively passed through the apparatus as will be set forth in the operation thereof described.

In Fig. 7 a guide member 51 is shown which prevents the rods 50 from excessive lateral play and guides said rods through the apparatus in their progression. Member 51 being integral with casing 19 as provided by supported bracket as shown.

'It is shown in Fig. 1 that a tank 52 is provided above the machine which is adapted to receive proper liquids and allow them to spray or drip on fibrous materials carried in skeins on the rods as they pass under the several' tanks used throughout the apparatus. The spraying of the liquid is accomplished by having the bottom of tank 52 perforated or covered with a fine mesh screen, or otherwise. This may be done'so as to give the best results commensurate with good production of the fibrous materials so treated. Owing to the scale of the drawing, perforations in the tank 52 are not shown.

From the foregoing description of this invention together with the drawings as shown forming part of said invention, it is believed that the following description of the apparatus, and the method of setting upthe same for practical operation will be fully understood as to its operation and purpose.

In setting up the several machines, forming the apparatus proper the first machines adapted to have its rollers 35 rotating in a clock-wise direction, the next machine in a counter-clock -wise direction, and the following machine again in a clock-wisedirection as shown in Fig. 2. This rotation of the rollers 35 is carried throu bout the apparatus. However, if desired, the rollers 35 may be caused to operate in the same direction in any particular apparatus. This method of rotating said rollers .35, which carry suspended at times rods 50, has theproperty of giving each fibrous skein carried thereon a uniform treatment as they pass under the several tanks 52 as shown. In conventional apparatus similar to this invention the rods which carry the skeins through the machine are continually changing their direction of rotation through the machines; in practice this has the detriment of distorting the fibers, which causes considerable breaks of the filaments in the skeins. In this invention the herein described reversal of rotation of rods 50 is only made between the several machines forming the apparatus, which has the advantage of permitting operation at a slow speed of rotation because the direction is the same in each machine, and this is to be clearly understood.

In the operation of the present invention, machines as described are set-up following each other at suitable distances apart, forming alined apparatus having a common power source for all, which is assumed in this case to be a motor 11. This is energized which actuates the apparatus. Proper liquids are supplied to'the respective tanks 52, which liquids are adapted to flow onto the skeins supported on rods 50 as shown. Said rods 50 being supported by rail 44 at each end which fit into recesses 46. Rail 41 adapted to have an up and down movement, and carrying head 31, supporting rollers 35, we will assume is being raised by the cam-face 37 co-operating with roller 39, and causedto rotate by transmission shaft 17 as shown. Rollers 35 come in contact with the under side of rods 50 which raises the entire rods suspended by any two rollers 35, and as rollers 35 are in rotation the rods 50 are revolved which also changes the position of the skeins suspended thereon. While said rods 50 are out of contact with rail 44, said rail 44 is shifted backward by cam-plate 43 as shown in Fig. 6, at the end of the backward travel said rail 44 becomes motionless by means of radius 45 on said cam-plate 43. By further motion of the cam37 the rods 50 are again lowered into recesses 46, of rail 44 and then a forward movement of rail 44 takes place which carries the rods 50 by advancement the distance between the spaced rollers 35., As rail 44 becomes again motionless at the end of its forward travel, rail 41 is being again raised, causing rollers 35 to pick up rods 50 again and revolve them again as before. In this position of rail 41 which is raised, rods 50 being out of contact as stated before, rail H again is given abackward movement, and is again ready to have rods 50 placed in recesses 46. It is seen by this cycle that the rods 50 are progressively fed through the apparatus. It is also noted that rods 50 are revolving the greater part of the time, as will be understood by the design of the cam-face 37, and rail 44 only serves as a shifting means between the revolving periods of the said rods.

As the rods come to the end of the machine,

and pass from under the tank 52 into the space between the several machines, cambersi- 49 are provided which serve as a means for the support of the rods during their progression and further permits the liquids to drain between the machines from the sup ported skeins, as it is wise in practical operation to drain from the skeins a reasonable amount of one liquid chemical before sub.- jecting it to another as will be understood in the art of treating fibrous materials.

The liquids received by tank 52 which pass over and saturate skeins of materials as described pass to drainage tank 14 and may be re-circulated as'desired by the demands of the process involved;

It is obvious that the skeins fed through the machine progressively as described, may be supplied to the machine or taken from it in any suitable manner or, such as by a conveyor system for the rods 50 or manually handled as is done at present in the conventional apparatus.

From-the foregoing description it is believed that the herein presented invention will be fully understood by those familiar with the art to which it appertains, and restriction to the same is only limited by the appended claims; other arrangement, combination, and operation, of the same is not limited otherwise.

I claim:

1., A machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid, and having skein supporting rods, parallel rails adapted to, carry said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement in combination with parallel rails having an ,upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable roll ers adapted to engage said rods for lifting them from said carrying rails,.means for operating said rails and rollers, and means for synchronizing the movements of said rails whereby said rods are progressively moved through said machine.

2. A machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid, and having skein supporting rods, parallel rails adapted to carry said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement in coma forward and backard movement in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers, said rollers being entirely exposed and adapted to be removed from their supporting shafts without dismantling said rails, means for operating said rails and rollers to engage said rods in alternation, whereby said railsin combination with said rollers convey said rods through said machine.

.4. A machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid, comprising skein supporting rods, parallel rails adapted to carry said rods, said rails having forward and backward movement in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers, said rollers adapted to be driven by bevel gears from shafts carried by said roller supporting rails, in combination with a pair of vertical shafts each having an extensible portion operatively connected to said roller driving shafts for operating them at all positions of said roller carrying rails, and means for rotating said vertical shafts in synchronism, said rails in combination with said rollers being adapted to convey said rods through said machine.

5. A machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid,-comprising skein supporting rods, parallel rails adapted to carry said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement effected by means of a cam, in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downward movement effected by means of a cam, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers, means for operating said cams in synchronism with each other, and means for rotating said rollers; said rails in combination with said rollers being adapted to convey said rods by intermittent advancing movement through said machine.

6. A. machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid, comprising supporting rods, parallel rails for carrying said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers, said rollers each having a removable face, and means for operating said rails and rollers to lift, rotate and convey said rods in combination with said skeins through said machine.

7. A machine for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid having means for spraying the liquid, and drainage means cooperating therewith, and means for conveying the skeins through the machine beneath said spraying means, said conveying means comprising skein supporting rods, parallel rails for carrying said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downwardmovement, the last said rails supporting a plurality 0f,rotatable rollers, means for operating said rails and rollers, and said rails in combination with said rollers being adapted to convey said rods through said machine.

8. In a machine for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, supporting rods, sets of parallel rails for carrying said rods, one set of said rails having a forward and backward movement in synchronism with another set of parallel rails having an, upward and downward. movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality'of rollers adapted to be rotated in one direction, and means for operating said rails and rollers to convey said rods through said machine by intermittent lateral movement intervening with rotation upon said rollers.

9. In a machine for subjecting fibrous ma-' terial to the action of liquid, means for spraying the liquid, and drainage means cooperating therewith, means for conveying said fibrous material through said machine beneath said spraying means, said conveying means comprising supporting rods, parallel rails for carrying said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement, in combination with parallel rails having an upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers, means for operating said conveying means to shift said rods and said rollers to rotate said rods.

10. An apparatus comprising a plurality of alined spaced machines for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, each machine having individual means for applying and collecting said liquid, and drainage space between successive machines, means for conveying said fibrous material from one machine to the other, comprising movable rails and supporting rods, saidrails extending through the apparatus, including common means for operating said conveying means and said rods.

11. An apparatus comprising a plurality of machines for subjecting fibrous material -from the power means,

tothe action of liquid,each machine havmg individual means for applying said liquid and for collecting the drip separately from the other machines, and drainage space between successi've machines, means for conveying said fibrous material through said apparatus, including supporting rods and rails therefor extending continuously through between said machines, mechanism for progres- I sively .moving said rods along said rails through and between said machines, and power means for operating said machines in unison.

12. An apparatus comprising a plurality of machines for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, each machine having means forapplying said liquid and for 001- lecting the drip separately from the other machines, and drainage space between sucoessive machines, means for conveying said fibrous material through said machines automaticallyand through said apparatus, including supporting rods and means adapted to rotate said rods in opposite directions in successive machines, whereby uniform treatment of said fibrous material is secured, and common power means for operating said apparatus in unison.

13. An apparatus comprising a plurality of machines for subjecting fibrous material successively to the action of suitable liquids, means for applying said liquids individually in said machines, means for conveying said fibrous material through and between the machines comprised in said apparatus, said conveying means comprising supporting rods and two sets of parallel rails for carrying said rods, one of said sets'having a forward and backward movement and the other set having an upward and downward movement, said upward and downward moving ra1ls having a plurality of spaced rollers adapted to support and rotate said supporting rods,

comprising bevel gears and worm gears, an

other set of parallel rails extending through v out the apparatus and adapted to carry said rods and have a forward movementwhen the other rails are in their lowered posltion, and to deposit the rods upon the rollers and have a backward movement when the other ra ls are raised, means for operating all sa1d ra1ls backward moving rails in cooperation with said forward and operating said rollers from a power means v the raising and falling rails operating to convey the rods through the apparatus as de-,

"intervening space and through said appascribed.

15. An apparatus for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquids, com prising machine units each comprising means for spraying a liquid, and drainage means cooperative'therewith, and means for conveying the-skeins through said successive machines beneath said spraying means, said conveying means comprising skein supporting rods, parallel rails extending continuously through said apparatus to carry said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement, in combination with parallel rails arranged in sets in each machine unitand having an upward and downward movement, the last said rails supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers adapted to lift and rotate said rods when said rails move upward, and means for operating said rails and rollers in alternation to rotate and convey said rods through said machine units successively.

16. In apparatus comprising a plurality of alining spaced machines for subjecting skeins of fibrous material to the action of liquid, means for applyin said liquid, skein supporting rods, means or conveying said fibrous material through said. apparatus automatically, said rods adapted to rotate in one direction in'one machine, and then in the other direction in the next machine through said apparatus, and a single power means for operatingsaid apparatus.

17. A machine of the class described having a longitudinally movable support which is provided with a plurality of recesses, rods mounted in said recesses, and a vertically movable support having a plurality of rollers thereon to disengage the rods from said first support.

18. A machine of the class described having a longitudinally movable support which is provided with a plurality of recesses, rods mounted in said recesses, and a vertically movable support having a plurality of rollers thereon to disengage the rods from said first support, and means for'rotating said rollers during the movement of said supports.

19. A machine for subject-in skeins of fibrous material to the action of iquid, comprising supporting rods, parallel rails in combination with rotatable rollers for'carrying said rods, said rails having a forward and backward movement and an upward and downward movement, and cam means for moving said rails in unison to lift and advance said rods whereby said skeins are conveyed through said machine, and power means for operating said rails and rollers.

20. An apparatus comprising a'plurality of alined spaced machines for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, each machine having individual means for applyand collecting said liquid, automatic means for conveying said fibrous material from one machine. to the other across the ratus including supporting rods and rails therefor connecting said machines, and power means for operating said apparatus in unison.

21. An apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced machines for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, each machine having individual means for applying said liquid and for collecting the drip separately from the other machines, means for conveying said fibrous material through said machines, including supporting rods and rails, and transfer means for automatically conveying said rods from one machine to the other; in combination with power means for operating said apparatus inunison.

22. An apparatus comprising a plurality of alined spacedmachines for subjecting fibrous material to the action ofliquid, said machines having a plurality of equidistant rotatable rollers spaced apart for cooperating with theends of supporting rods, in combination with supporting rods adapted to progress through said machines by means of parallel rails operating in combination with said rollers, said rails having an upward and downward movement by means of a cam-face,

and a backward and forward movement by means of a cam-plate, each machine having individual means for applying and collecting said liquid, and drainage means for said fibrous material in the space betweeen said machines, said drainage space including as much as four times the space between said rollers, means for automatically transferring said rods across said drainage means including supporting members between said machines, and power means for operating said apparatus in unison.

23. An apparatus comprising a plurality of machines for, subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, said machines having I, I

a plurality of rotatable rollers spaced equidistant apart, including parallel rails, and supporting rods, each machine having individual means for applying said liquid and the collection thereof, drainage means between said machines including a space as much as four times the space between said rollers, means for automatically transferring said rods across said drainage means including supporting members between said machines, power means for conveying said fibrous material through said machines, and from one to the other, and means for operating said apparatus in unison.

24. An apparatus comprising a plurality of machines for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, said machines having a plurality of equidistant rotatable rollers spaced apart on a movable frame including parallelrails and supporting rods carried by said rollers and rails, each machine hav-. ing individual means for applying said liquid and the collection thereof, drainage means between said machines occupying a space as much as four times the space between said rollers, means for automatically transferring said rods across said drainage means between said machines, and for conveying said fibrous material through said machines, including means for causing relative lifting and lateral shifting of said supporting rods and rails, and power means for operating said apparatus in unison.

25. An apparatus comprising a plurality of means for subjecting fibrous material to the action of liquid, said machines having a plurality of supporting rods, and parallel rails in combination with a plurality of rotatable rollers and recesses spaced equidistant apart for said rods, each machine having individual means for applying said liquid and the collection thereof, drainage means between said machine's having a spacedrelation .as much as four times the space 5 between said recesses, means for conveying said fibrous materialthrough said machines, and automatic means for transferring said fibrous material from one machine to the other, including supporting rods and sup- 0 porting members, and power means for op- 1 erating'said apparatus in unison.

26. Apparatus for treating fibrous material with a liquid, which consists in successive machines for subjecting the same to individual treatments, supporting rods for said fibrous material spaced equidistant apart and progressively moved from one to another of a plurality of machines, said machines having provision for drainage, whereby'said 40 fibrous material is drained between said machines through a space as much as four times the spacing of said rods, and power means operating said machines in unison.

27. Apparatus for treating fibrous ma- 5 terial with a liquid, said apparatus having means for subjecting the same to individual treatments comprising supporting rods spaced equidistant apart and rails for moving said rods simultaneously in a plurality so of machines, said machines, having provisions for drainagebetween them spanned by said rails, whereby said fibrous material is drained between said machines through a space as much as four times the spacing of said rods, and connections to progress said rods through said apparatus driven by means of a common 'power source.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM W. MoELRATI-I. 

